CHAPTER 5

ELIRA

My body lurches forward as the first crack of the whip connects with my back. A scream tears past my throat, tears already making their languid descent down my face.

Getting punished every day has become the norm for me. I was the lowest of slaves in RageClaw, after all.

"What the hell is going on here?" The pack's Beta, Aaron, asks as he walks up to the field.

I haven't been able to look any of them in the face ever since the incident three nights ago. My arousal was like an air freshener for the guards to perceive and choke on, while I was being drowned within an inch of my life.

"This dirty swine tried to poison the Alpha's meal today. Good thing I checked on time." Lady Marge explains in an angry voice.

"And where did she get the poison from? If I remember correctly, she has been detained for two days and was only released this morning."

My eyes raise on their own accord. Is he really defending me right now?

His arm curls around my shoulders and he hoists me off the floor. "Go back to your room. The full moon is tonight, and the Alpha will need you."

"Need me?" I ask in confusion.

"You're his personal slave, are you not? Go on."

I hurry away from the field, glad to not be in the same space as that demon possessed head maid. I guess it's only fair that he has heartless servants working for him.

I clean my wounds slowly, wincing as I swipe alcohol over them. The hum of magic fuels the air as the full moon starts to make an appearance.

"What are you doing?" A familiar voice calls from the other side of my door, followed by a knock.

With a smile, I get off my bed and pull it open to find Sarah and Brie on the other side.

"You called the Beta, didn't you?" I ask them.

"We had to. She was planning on killing you. Did you know those whips were dipped in silver?" Brie shoots.

Ah. That explains the pain.

"Well," Sarah starts. "That's not why we're here."

"Mm. True." Brie concurs.

"Tell me then, why are you here?"

They exchange a look before Brie sighs. "Tonight is the full moon, so it's a party here in RageClaw. We hardly see the Alpha, but he gives us freedom to do as we please tonight."

"That sounds very unlikely given the kind of person he is."

"He's not a demon, I promise. He just... he has his bad days."

"I'd pass. Maybe it'd be better to use this opportunity to catch up on some rest."

"Nuh-uh. You're coming with us. Let's raid the kitchen and eat something nice."

I am helpless against them as both girls latch onto each of my arms and drag me out of my room. The sound of music from the den is unmistakable as we get to the bottom of the stairs.

"What goes on in there?" I jerk my head in the direction of the closed door.

Sarah shudders in disgust. "Trust me, you don't want to know."

"Most wolves are in heat on the full moon, so..." Brie explains instead.

I scrunch my nose. "No, thanks."

We walk into the kitchen, and there, leaning over the sink with a deathly grip on it, is Kael. He spins around to face us as we come to an immediate halt.

His eyes are a vibrant blue, and his muscles are locked - in pain or restraint, I have no idea. As they fall on me, all thought fades to background noise.

No. Can I just get a break?

He doesn't take his eyes off me as he barks out an order to Sarah and Brie. "Get out. Now."

Both girls race out of the kitchen, leaving me behind to stare at the man who has ruined my life so thoroughly.

"I just want to..."

"Shut up." He commands, his voice rough and strained.

My lips fall shut instantly. I take a step backward as he advances towards me. He is not in a normal state, and I recognise that look in his eyes.

"Heat." My wolf calls in my ears.

I shake my head. I don't want to be a party to this.

Spinning around on my heel, I attempt to run away, but strong arms grip my waist, hoisting me off the floor before I even move three steps.

My body melts against his even as the protests scream in my mind. He trails sleek fingers over my skin in subtle caresses, and I shiver.

He turns me around in his arms, blue gaze burning into mine. I reach between us to shove him away, but he pulls me tighter against himself, his erection straining against my stomach.

I swallow. His eyes follow the motion and before I know it, his lips latch onto my throat like a piece of meat, suckling, nipping, licking. Despite my attempts to fight him off, a moan works its way past my throat, the smell of my arousal wafting in the air around us.

A growl works past his lips just before he places me on the floor and rips my dress off me in a hard shove. Pleasure and pain commingle in my blood, and my head falls back just as his lips lock on my nipple.

Sensations overwhelm me, I can't keep track of all the delicious things he does to my body, but the sound of his belt coming undone, the feel of his rough touch just before my panties come off in a rip, fills me with a lust so profound I can barely contain myself.

I let out a sharp cry as his hard length pushes past the barriers between my thighs and sinks into me in one hard move. It is all pain, no pleasure.

His fingers play with my body, rubbing my breasts, my clit, every single spot that could turn me on is roaring alive with each swipe of his fingers.

Everything fades to nothing as he plays me like an instrument, pain gives way to pleasure and I drown in the feeling, all protests dying swiftly in my head.

After what feels like an eternity, his teeth come down on my breast as he shudders with his release. I feel the warm liquid pouring into me, and I struggle to catch a breath, still riding the high of pleasure.

A voice chimes in my head, and I still. Kael has stilled too, his muscles rigid and his eyes boring down on mine in shock.

Our wolves call out in unison. "Mate.”